Suffragette Tactics

Suffragette tactics ranged from passive protest to militancy. At the beginning of the Suffragette movement, activists tended to use more peaceful protest, however, tactics soon became more militant.

When the WSPU split into two groups in 1907, its members disagreed over tactics. Some believed that the MSPU had gone too far with its militarism and were actually holding back the cause.

Damage to The Rokeby Venus caused by Mary Richardson

Suffragettes often went to prison for their protest, including Mary Richardson who was arrested nine times. She infamously damaged the Rokeby Venus painting at the National Gallery to bring attention to the cause. She caused thousands of pounds of damage and was arrested for her actions.

Other tactics included hunger strikes, which Suffragettes used after they were arrested. This was another way of protesting, even in prison. The authorities resorted to force-feeding as a way of stopping this tactic, but it ended up drawing more attention to the Suffragettes’ causes.